Thermal gunsights

ABSTRACT

A gunsight for aiming a firearm may comprise a display and an eyepiece optic positioned rearward of the display for allowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optic and a motion sensing module. The eyepiece optic may comprise one or more eyepiece lenses. Circuitry of the gunsight is operatively coupled to the microbolometer and the display. The circuitry may comprise one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readable medium storing one or more instruction sets. In some embodiments, the one or more instruction sets include instructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors to receive a stream of motion signals from the motion sensing module and display an image to the user in response to the stream of motion signals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/144,546, filed Sep. 27, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/563,683, filed Sep. 27, 2017, thedisclosure of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Weapon-mounted firearm accessories have become an important tool formilitary, police, militia, and civilian firearm users. Many firearmdesigns incorporate mounting rails for supporting these accessories.Using an accessory rail interface, a given accessory may be mounted to avariety of firearms or firearms platforms. Likewise, if a particularfirearm includes a rail interface, a variety of accessories may beinterchangeably mounted to the firearm. The interchangeability ofaccessories is of particular importance to military and law enforcementpersonnel attached to special operations units, as this allows a singlefirearm to be reconfigured to meet certain mission specific needs.

A number of weapon-mounted firearm accessories can be used to facilitateaiming the weapon. Examples of popular firearm accessories includetargeting devices, such as LASER sighting devices, and targetilluminators, such as flashlights. Firearm mounted flashlights typicallyattached to a mounting rail and are centered along the bore axis of thefirearm. A firearm mounted flashlight is useful to light both thesurrounding environment as well as possible assailants using only asingle hand. This frees the other hand to call the police or fend off anattacker, or alternatively allows a user to keep both hands on the gunfor a more secure grip.

Firearm-mounted lasers may be attached to an accessory rail parallel tothe bore axis of a firearm. A weapon-mounted laser sighting system hasseveral potential uses. First, a laser can aid in shooting accuracy andspeed, particularly in high pressure situations. Further, lasers can aidin shooting at night or indoors in poorly lit environments. Lasers canalso be used to safely practice trigger control. Finally, lasers maywork as an intimidating deterrent for would-be assailants. Laser sightsfor weapons permit a user to aim a weapon by projecting a light beamonto a target. Laser sights permit a user to quickly aim a weaponwithout viewing the target through a scope or other sighting device.This also permits the user to aim and shoot from any number of otherfiring positions, such as permitting the user to shoot from the hip. Ifthe laser sight is properly sighted for the distance and wind conditionsinvolved, a projectile, such as a bullet, arrow or shot, from a weaponwill strike the desired target where the light dot generated by thelaser sight shines on the target.

Laser sights are not, however, without problems. For example, althoughlaser sights work well in low light conditions, in bright lightconditions laser sights occasionally perform poorly because ambientlight can easily overwhelm the dot generated on the target by the laserlight source, making the dot difficult or impossible for the user tosee. A laser sight also uses a relatively large amount of power, so thebattery life for a laser sight is typically relatively short. Also, aswith other sights, a laser sight is adjusted or sighted for a particulardistance and wind condition. In some combat situations, the laser beamfrom a laser sight may also act as a targeting beacon for an adversary.

Thermal gunsights, such as thermal riflescopes, have found use inmilitary applications. Thermal gunsights may also be particularly usefulfor hunting animals of the invasive species known as feral pigs or wildboars. Feral pigs have become a significant economic problem in theUnited States, causing an estimated $1.5 billion in annual crop damagealone. Absent any true natural predators, a single pair of feral pigscan reproduce and grow into a population of twenty-five or more pigs inless than 12 months. These animals are known to be highly intelligentand have become nocturnal in areas of human activity. Feral pigs areknown to avoid lit areas, even around potential sources of food.

SUMMARY

A gunsight for aiming a firearm may comprise a microbolometer and anobjective optic positioned forward of the microbolometer for focusingelectromagnetic waves on the microbolometer. The objective optic maycomprise one or more objective lenses. The gunsight may also comprise adisplay and an eyepiece optic positioned rearward of the display forallowing a user to view the display through the eyepiece optic. Theeyepiece optic may comprise one or more eyepiece lenses. Circuitry ofthe gunsight is operatively coupled to the microbolometer and thedisplay. The circuitry may comprise one or more processors and anon-transitory computer readable medium storing one or more instructionsets. In some embodiments, the one or more instruction sets includeinstructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors tocause the gunsight to capture image signals with the microbolometer, theimage signals corresponding to a first field of view, the first field ofview having a first area. In some embodiments instructions are executedby the one or more processors to cause the gunsight to display an image,the image corresponding to a second field of view, the second field ofview having a second area, the first area being greater than the secondarea. The processor may analyze the image signals from themicrobolometer and identify one or more heat signatures located insidethe first field of view and outside of the second field of view. Thegunsight may display an icon superimposed on the first image, the iconbeing displayed at an icon position, the icon position being selectedbased on a location of a selected one of the one or more heat signatureslocated inside the first field of view and outside of the second fieldof view.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a gunsight that displays anicon (e.g., an arrow or chevron) that points at heat signatures that arewithin a field of view of the microbolometer but are not in the field ofview of a currently displayed image.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a gunsight that snaps fromdisplaying an image with a higher magnification (e.g., 8×, 4×, and/or2×) to displaying an image with a lower magnification (e.g., 1×) when aballistic event is detected. As used herein, the term ballistic eventrefers to the movement of parts or other firearm elements that indicatesthe operation of the firearm. For example, in various embodimentsballistic event refers to the striking of a firing pin with a projectilecasing. In some embodiments ballistic event refers to ejection of thecasing from the firearm after firing. As such, in various embodimentsdescribed herein, ballistic events can be detected via a motion sensor,and used to program operation of the gunsight such that certain gunsightoperations correspond with certain operations of the firearm.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a gunsight including a powersave mode. If the firearm is pointed in a downward direction while thepower save mode is activated, the display automatically dims. Thedisplay will return to an undimmed level of illumination when thefirearm is pointed at a 45 degree angle or greater relative to ahorizontal line extending in forward and rearward directions.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a gunsight that can beselectively fixed or attached to a mounting rail, such as, for example,a Weaver or Picatinny rail. The position of the gunsight on the firearmcan be readily changed. The gunsight can also be readily removed fromthe mounting rail.

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a gunsight that allows theuser to move the location of a reticle or other image upward and/ordownward. The location of the reticle or other image may be moved upwardand/or downward, for example when sighting in the gunsight with aparticular weapon. The location of the reticle or other image may alsobe moved upward and/or downward, for example, to account for thedownward acceleration on the projectile imparted by gravity, which isoften referred to as “bullet drop.”

A feature and advantage of embodiments is a gunsight that allows theuser to move the location of a reticle or other image leftward and/orrightward. The location of the reticle or other image may be movedleftward and/or rightward, for example when sighting in the gunsightwith a particular weapon. The location of the reticle or other image mayalso be moved leftward and/or rightward, for example, to adjust forleft-to-right movement due to wind (sometimes referred to as windage).

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative ofcertain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a firearm and a gunsight inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the firearm and the gunsight ofFIG. 1 from a different point of view. An image that may be viewedthrough an eyepiece optic of the gunsight is also visible in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a gunsight and an image that may beviewed through an eyepiece optic of the gunsight.

FIG. 4 is a stylized diagram illustrating the border of a field of viewsensed by a microbolometer of a gunsight and the border of a field ofview of an image displayed on a display of the gunsight.

FIG. 5 is a stylized depiction of an image displayed on a display of agunsight.

FIGS. 6A-6L are stylized depictions of images displayed on a display ofa gunsight.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a gunsight in accordance with thedetailed description.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a gunsight in accordance with thedetailed description.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a gunsight inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of a microbolometer of a gunsight inaccordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a microbolometer of agunsight in accordance with the detailed description.

FIG. 12 is a stylized diagram illustrating a field of view correspondingto a displayed image having 1× magnification and another field of viewcorresponding to a displayed image having 2× magnification. The diagramof FIG. 12 also shows a field of view corresponding to a displayed imagehaving 4× magnification and an additional field of view corresponding toa displayed image having 8× magnification.

FIG. 13 is a reproduction of a mounting rail drawing from MilitaryStandard MIL-STD-1913 dated 3 Feb. 1995.

While the embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shownby way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit thedisclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, theintention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a firearm 20 and a gunsight 100. Inthe example embodiment of FIG. 1, the gunsight 100 is fixed to amounting rail 22 of the firearm 20. The firearm 20 has a barrel 24defining a bore 26. The bore 26 extends along a gun bore axis 28. Thegun bore axis 28 extends in a forward direction and a rearwarddirection. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the firearm and thegunsight of FIG. 1 from a different point of view. An image that may beviewed through an eyepiece optic of the gunsight is also visible in inFIG. 2.

Referring, for example, to FIGS. 1-6, 8 and 9, a gunsight 100 for aiminga firearm may comprise a microbolometer 102 and an objective optic 104positioned forward of the microbolometer 102 for focusingelectromagnetic waves on the microbolometer 102. The objective optic 104may comprise one or more objective lenses 106. The gunsight 100 alsocomprises a display 108 and an eyepiece optic 110 positioned rearward ofthe display 108 for allowing a user to view the display 108 through theeyepiece optic 110. The eyepiece optic may comprise one or more eyepiecelenses 112. Circuitry 114 of the gunsight 100 is operatively coupled tothe microbolometer 102 and the display 108. The circuitry 114 maycomprise one or more processors 116 and a non-transitory computerreadable medium 154 storing one or more instruction sets. In someembodiments, the one or more instruction sets include instructionsconfigured to be executed by the one or more processors 116 to cause thegunsight 100 to capture image signals with the microbolometer 102, theimage signals corresponding to a first field of view, the first field ofview having a first area. In some embodiments the instructions executedby the one or more processors 116 also cause the gunsight 100 to displayan image on a display 108. The image corresponds to a second field ofview in some embodiments. The second field of view has a second areasmaller than the first area in some embodiments. The processor 116 mayanalyze the image signals from the microbolometer 102 and identify oneor more heat signatures located inside the first field of view andoutside of the second field of view. The gunsight 100 may display anicon superimposed on the first image, the icon being displayed at anicon position, the icon position being selected based on a location of aselected one of the one or more heat signatures located inside the firstfield of view and outside of the second field of view.

FIGS. 6A-6L are diagrammatic representations of images 124 that may bepresented on the display of a gunsight. An icon 160 is displayed at aselected icon location on each image 124. In some useful embodiments,the icon location is selected to provide a user of the gunsight with anindication regarding the next closest target.

In various embodiments, the next closest target refers to a target thatis measured in three-dimensions and is the closest to a reference targetpositioned within the second field of view. However, in certainembodiments the next closest target can be measured in a variety ofways. For example, in some embodiments the next closest target ismeasured as being the closest to the reference target in atwo-dimensions. In certain embodiments the next closest target can bemeasured relative to the position of the shooter or user of thegunsight.

In FIG. 6A, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in an upper right quadrant of the image 124. In some usefulembodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in an upper rightquadrant of the image 124 if the next closest heat signature is locatedforward and starboard of the field of view covered by the image. In someuseful embodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in an upperright quadrant of the image 124 if a selected one of one or moredetected heat signatures is located forward and starboard of the fieldof view covered by the image.

In FIG. 6B, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in an upper left quadrant of the image 124. In some usefulembodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in an upper leftquadrant of the image 124 if the next closest heat signature is locatedforward and portward of the field of view covered by the image. In someuseful embodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in an upperleft quadrant of the image 124 if a selected one of one or more detectedheat signatures is located forward and portward of the field of viewcovered by the image.

In FIG. 6C, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in a lower right quadrant of the image 124. In some usefulembodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in a lower rightquadrant of the image 124 if the next closest heat signature is locatedrearward and starboard of the field of view covered by the image. Insome useful embodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in alower right quadrant of the image 124 if a selected one of one or moredetected heat signatures is located rearward and starboard of the fieldof view covered by the image.

In FIG. 6D, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in a lower left quadrant of the image 124. In some usefulembodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in a lower leftquadrant of the image 124 if the next closest heat signature is locatedrearward and portward of the field of view covered by the image. In someuseful embodiments, an icon 160 is positioned at a location in a lowerleft quadrant of the image 124 if a selected one of one or more detectedheat signatures is located rearward and portward of the field of viewcovered by the image.

In FIG. 6E, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in a right edge of the image 124. In some useful embodiments,an icon 160 is positioned at a location in a right edge of the image 124if the next closest heat signature is located starboard of the field ofview covered by the image. In some useful embodiments, an icon 160 ispositioned at a location in a right edge of the image 124 if a selectedone of one or more detected heat signatures is located starboard of thefield of view covered by the image.

In FIG. 6F, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in a left edge of the image 124. In some useful embodiments, anicon 160 is positioned at a location in a left edge of the image 124 ifthe next closest heat signature is located portward of the field of viewcovered by the image. In some useful embodiments, an icon 160 ispositioned at a location in a left edge of the image 124 if a selectedone of one or more detected heat signatures is located portward of thefield of view covered by the image.

In FIG. 6G, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in an upper edge of the image 124. In some useful embodiments,an icon 160 is positioned at a location in an upper edge of the image124 if the next closest heat signature is located forward of the fieldof view covered by the image. In some useful embodiments, an icon 160 ispositioned at a location in an upper edge of the image 124 if a selectedone of one or more detected heat signatures is located forward of thefield of view covered by the image.

In FIG. 6H, an image 124 is shown with an icon 160 positioned at alocation in a lower edge of the image 124. In some useful embodiments,an icon 160 is positioned at a location in a lower edge of the image 124if the next closest heat signature is located rearward of the field ofview covered by the image. In some useful embodiments, an icon 160 ispositioned at a location in a lower edge of the image 124 if a selectedone of one or more detected heat signatures is located rearward of thefield of view covered by the image.

Referring, for example, to FIGS. 8, 9 and 12, a gunsight 100 for aiminga firearm may comprise a microbolometer 102 and an objective optic 104positioned forward of the microbolometer 102 for focusingelectromagnetic waves on the microbolometer 102. The gunsight 100 alsocomprises a display 108 and an eyepiece optic 110 positioned rearward ofthe display 108 for allowing a user to view the display 108 through theeyepiece optic 110. Circuitry 114 of the gunsight 100 is operativelycoupled to the microbolometer 102 and the display 108. The circuitry 114may comprise one or more processors 116 and a non-transitory computerreadable medium 154 storing one or more instruction sets. In someembodiments, the one or more instruction sets include instructionsconfigured to be executed by the one or more processors 116 to cause thegunsight 100 to capture image signals with the microbolometer 102 anddisplay a first image to the user. The processor 116 may receive astream of motion signals from a motion sensing module 158, such as aaccelerometer, gyroscope, or the like, and detect a ballistic eventbased on analysis of the stream of motion signals. The processor 116 maycause the gunsight 100 to display a second image to the user in responseto detecting of the ballistic event. In some embodiments, the firstimage corresponds to a first magnification, the second image correspondsto a second magnification, and the first magnification is greater thanthe second magnification. In some embodiments, the first imagecorresponds to a first field of view, the second image corresponds to asecond field of view, and the second field of view is larger than thefirst field of view.

FIG. 12 is a stylized diagram illustrating a field of view FV1corresponding to a displayed image having 1× magnification and anotherfield of view FV2 corresponding to a displayed image having 2×magnification. The diagram of FIG. 12 also includes a field of view FV4corresponding to a displayed image having 4× magnification and anotherfield of view FV8 corresponding to a displayed image having 8×magnification.

FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically illustrate a gunsight 100 in accordance withthis detailed description. With reference to FIG. 8, it will beappreciated that the gunsight 100 includes a printed wiring board 118supporting the circuitry 114. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the printedwiring board 118 comprises a substrate 120 and the substrate 120supports a plurality of conductive paths 122 of the circuitry 114. Inthe example embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the circuitry 114 comprises theprinted wiring board 118 and a plurality of electronic components fixedto the printed wiring board 118. The circuitry 114 may comprise variouselements without deviating from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, the circuitry may comprise combinational logic,a plurality of state machines and a clock that provides a clock signalto the combinational logic and the plurality of state machines. Eachstate machine may comprise state logic circuitry and a state memory. Thestate memory may comprise a plurality of memory elements such asflip-flops. The state logic circuitry of the state machine determinesthe conditions for changing the logical values of bits stored in thestate memory. More particularly, the state logic circuitry of the statemachine logically combines the binary values of a plurality of inputswith the binary values in the state memory representing the currentstate to generate a binary number representing the next state. Thecombinational logic circuitry may comprise various elements withoutdeviating from the spirit and scope of the present description. Forexample, the combinational logic circuitry may comprise a plurality ofdiscrete electronic components. By way of a second example,combinational logic circuitry may comprise a plurality of electroniccomponents in the form of an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC). Examples of electronic components that may be suitable in someapplications include logic gates. Examples of logic gates include, ANDgates, NAND gates, OR gates, XOR gates, NOR gates, NOT gates, and thelike. These logic gates may comprise a plurality of transistors (e.g.,transistor-transistor logic (TTL)).

Still referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the circuitry 114 may comprise variouselements without deviating from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. In an embodiment, for example, the circuitry 114 may comprisea processor, a memory, an input/output interface, a display, and a busthat communicatively couples the processor to the memory, the displayand the input/output interface.

In an embodiment, the processor may comprise a collection of one or morelogical cores or units for receiving and executing instructions orprograms. For example, in one or more embodiments, the processor may beconfigured to receive and execute various routines, programs, objects,components, logic, data structures, and so on to perform particulartasks.

In an embodiment, the memory is a collection of variouscomputer-readable media in the system architecture. In variousembodiments, memory can include, but is not limited to volatile media,non-volatile media, removable media, and non-removable media. Forexample, in one or more embodiments, the memory can include randomaccess memory (RAM), cache memory, read only memory (ROM), flash memory,solid state memory, or other suitable type of memory. In one or moreembodiments, the memory includes media that is accessible to theelectronic circuitry 114. For example, in some embodiments, the memoryincludes computer readable media located locally in the circuitry 114and/or media located remotely to the circuitry 114 and accessible via anetwork. In some embodiments, the memory includes a program producthaving a group of one or more logical instructions that are executableby the processor to carry out the functions of the various embodimentsof the disclosure.

In an embodiment, the bus comprises one or more of any of suitable typeof bus structures for communicatively connecting the electronicelements. In various embodiments the bus may include a memory bus ormemory controller, a peripheral bus, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures.

In some embodiments, the circuitry 114 includes an I/O interface coupledto a processor. The I/O interface may facilitate communication betweenthe various components of the circuitry 114. For example, in one or moreembodiments, the I/O interface may be communicatively coupled with theprojector, the processor and the memory for emitting an output image viathe projector. For example, in certain embodiments, the processorgenerates an output that corresponds to a particular pattern. Theprocessor can transmit this output to the I/O interface which can thentranslate the processor output into instructions which are compatiblewith the projector and which result in the projector emitting lightcorresponding to the pattern.

In certain embodiments the I/O interface facilitates communication withinput and output devices for interacting with a user. For example, theI/O interface may communicate with one or more devices such, as auser-input device and/or an external display, which enable a user tointeract directly with the circuitry 114. The user-input device maycomprise a keyboard, one or more push-buttons, a touch screen, or otherdevices that allows a user to input information. The external displaymay comprise any of a variety of visual displays, such as a viewablescreen, a set of viewable symbols or numbers, and so on.

The gunsight 100 shown in FIG. 8 includes a microbolometer 102 that iselectrically coupled to the conductive paths 122 of the printed wiringboard 118 by a plurality of wires. The gunsight 100 shown in FIG. 8 alsoincludes a display 108 that is electrically coupled to the conductivepaths 122 of the printed wiring board 118 by a plurality of wires. Thegunsight 100 shown in FIG. 8 also includes an objective optic 104positioned forward of the microbolometer 102 for focusingelectromagnetic waves on the microbolometer 102. The objective optic 104may comprise one or more objective lenses 106. The gunsight 100 shown inFIG. 8 also comprises an eyepiece optic 110 positioned rearward of thedisplay 108 for allowing a user to view the display 108 through theeyepiece optic 110. The eyepiece optic may comprise one or more eyepiecelenses 112.

Referring, for example, to FIGS. 8 and 9, a gunsight 100 for aiming afirearm may comprise a microbolometer 102 and an objective optic 104positioned forward of the microbolometer 102 for focusingelectromagnetic waves on the microbolometer 102. The gunsight 100 alsocomprises a display 108 and an eyepiece optic 110 positioned rearward ofthe display 108 for allowing a user to view the display 108 through theeyepiece optic 110. Circuitry 114 of the gunsight 100 is operativelycoupled to the microbolometer 102 and the display 108. The circuitry 114may comprise one or more processors 116 and a non-transitory computerreadable medium 154 storing one or more instruction sets. The processor116 may receive a stream of motion signals from a motion sensing module158. In some embodiments, the one or more instruction sets includeinstructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors 116to analyze the stream of motion signals from a motion sensing module158. The processor 116 may determine a present orientation of the boreaxis relative to a gravitational pull direction based on a stream ofsignals from the motion sensing module. The processor 116 may alsodetermine an orientation angle of the bore axis relative to agravitational pull direction based on the stream of signals from themotion sensing module and compare the orientation angle to apredetermined threshold value. The processor 116 may cause the gunsight100 to change an operating state of the display from a first brightnessto a second brightness value if the orientation angle is greater thanthe predetermined threshold value. In some embodiments, the firstbrightness is greater than the second brightness.

Referring to FIG. 10, a microbolometer 102 in accordance with someembodiments comprises a plurality of thermally sensitive pixels 130arranged to form an array 132 of thermally sensitive pixels 130. In theembodiment of FIG. 10, the array 132 of thermally sensitive pixels 130includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each thermallysensitive pixel may comprise, for example, a sensing element and aswitching element. It is noted that the thermally sensitive pixels 130may be arranged in other patterns without deviating from the spirit andscope of this detailed description. The array 132 of thermally sensitivepixels 130 includes a first row 134A of thermally sensitive pixels 130aligned along a first row line 136A, a second row 134B of thermallysensitive pixels 130 aligned along a second row line 136B, a third row134C of thermally sensitive pixels 130 aligned along a third row line136C, and an Mth row 134M extending along an Mth row line 136. The array132 of thermally sensitive pixels 130 also includes a first column 138Aof thermally sensitive pixels 130 aligned along a first column line140A, a second column 138B of thermally sensitive pixels 130 alignedalong a second column line 140B, a third column 138C of thermallysensitive pixels 130 aligned along a third column line 140C, and an Nthcolumn 138N of thermally sensitive pixels 130 aligned along an Nthcolumn line 140N. N and M may be, for example, any integer greater thanzero. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the column lines extend in a firstdirection and the row lines extend in a second direction, the seconddirection being generally perpendicular to the first direction.

Referring to FIG. 11, a microbolometer 102 in accordance with someembodiments comprises a plurality of thermally sensitive pixels 130arranged to form an array 132 of thermally sensitive pixels 130. In theembodiment of FIG. 11, the array 132 of thermally sensitive pixels 130includes a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. In theembodiment of FIG. 11, each thermally sensitive pixel includes a sensingelement 142 and a switching element 144. Each sensing element 142comprises a variable resistance element 146 having a first terminal anda second terminal in the embodiment of FIG. 11. With reference FIG. 11,it will be appreciated that the first terminal of each variableresistance element 146 is connected to a input conductor 150. The secondterminal of each variable resistance element 146 is electricallyconnected to a switching element 144 in the embodiment of FIG. 11. Eachswitching element 144 is capable of selectively creating an electricalconnection between a respective variable resistance element 146 and ascan conductor 152.

Referring, for example, to FIGS. 8 and 9, a gunsight 100 for aiming afirearm may comprise a microbolometer 102 and an objective optic 104positioned forward of the microbolometer 102 for focusingelectromagnetic waves on the microbolometer 102. The gunsight 100 alsocomprises a display 108 and an eyepiece optic 110 positioned rearward ofthe display 108 for allowing a user to view the display 108 through theeyepiece optic 110. Circuitry 114 of the gunsight 100 is operativelycoupled to the microbolometer 102 and the display 108. The circuitry 114may comprise one or more processors 116 and a non-transitory computerreadable medium 154 storing one or more instruction sets. The processor116 may receive a stream of motion signals from a motion sensing module158 and detect a ballistic event based on analysis of the stream ofmotion signals. The processor 116 may also cause a video file to besaved in the non-transitory computer readable medium in response todetecting the ballistic event. The video file may correspond to atimeframe, the timeframe spanning from a first time to a second time,the first time being earlier than the ballistic event and a second timebeing later the ballistic event. In some embodiments, timeframe has aspan of 20 seconds. In some embodiments, the timeframe extends from 10seconds before the ballistic event to 10 seconds after the ballisticevent. In some embodiments, the first time is a time that occurred tenseconds before the ballistic event and the second time is a time thatoccurred ten seconds after the ballistic event. The video file maycomprise, for example, one of a FFMPEF file, an MPEG file, an AVI file,and a WMV file.

Referring, for example, to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, an upward direction Z and adownward or lower direction −Z are illustrated using arrows labeled “Z”and “−Z,” respectively. A forward direction Y and a rearward direction−Y are illustrated using arrows labeled “Y” and “−Y,” respectively. Astarboard direction X and a port direction −X are illustrated usingarrows labeled “X” and “−X,” respectively. The directions illustratedusing these arrows are applicable to the apparatus shown and discussedthroughout this application. The port direction may also be referred toas a left direction and/or the portward direction. The starboarddirection may also be referred to as a right direction. In one or moreembodiments, the upward direction is generally opposite the downwarddirection. In one or more embodiments, the upward direction and thedownward direction are both generally orthogonal to an XY plane definedby the forward direction and the starboard direction. In one or moreembodiments, the forward direction is generally opposite the rearwarddirection. In one or more embodiments, the forward direction and therearward direction are both generally orthogonal to a ZX plane definedby the upward direction and the starboard direction. In one or moreembodiments, the starboard direction is generally opposite the portdirection. In one or more embodiments, starboard direction and the portdirection are both generally orthogonal to a ZY plane defined by theupward direction and the forward direction. Various direction-indicatingterms are used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shownin the figures. It will be appreciated that many direction indicatingterms are related to the instant orientation of the object beingdescribed. It will also be appreciated that the objects described hereinmay assume various orientations without deviating from the spirit andscope of this detailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicatingterms such as “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forwardly,” “backwardly,”“portwardly,” and “starboardly,” should not be interpreted to limit thescope of the invention recited in the attached claims.

The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by referenceherein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,541,772, 9,069,172, 9,285,189, and 9,602,730.Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodimentsherein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEPsection 2163.07(B).

The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by referenceherein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,166,571, 5,438,231, 5,537,872, 5,585,562,5,747,691, 5,861,705, 6,010,919, 6,046,531, 6,116,087, 6,389,898,6,474,162, 6,536,281, 6,564,637, 7,083,740, 7,334,473, 7,360,422,7,436,107, 7,456,555, 7,481,112, 7,770,450, 7,913,560, 7,982,374,8,061,202, 8,082,790, 8,198,948, 8,434,363, 8,516,888, 8,723,611,8,841,762, 8,869,615, 8,910,521, 8,944,570, 8,973,440, 8,991,250,9,048,418, 9,082,978, 9,091,542, 9,103,674, 9,121,707, 9,123,883,9,130,147, 9,159,905, 9,217,756, 9,222,775, 9,287,488, 9,341,643,9,354,060, 9,383,205, 9,400,180, 9,534,894, 9,534,896, 9,546,869,9,631,926, and 9,696,156. Components illustrated in such patents may beutilized with embodiments herein.

The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by referenceherein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,184,051, 6,184,052, 6,209,394, 6,235,550,6,387,725, 6,843,126, 6,845,670, 6,856,144, 6,874,363, 6,936,492,6,938,334, 7,013,730, 7,024,933, 7,024,934, 7,069,784, 7,140,250,7,322,242, 7,380,454, 7,392,685, 7,409,862, 7,467,553, 7,516,661,7,520,171, 7,678,599, 7,784,344, 7,793,544, 7,886,601, 7,926,348,7,929,143, 7,949,508, 7,984,648, 7,989,906, 8,042,396, 8,056,415,8,100,010, 8,117,917, 8,122,767, 8,124,895, 8,171,793, 8,220,330,8,365,596, 8,413,509, 8,418,555, 8,434,364, 8,468,887, 8,499,629,8,505,380, 8,516,889, 8,539,836, 8,555,719, 8,661,871, 8,661,900,8,671,756, 8,733,170, 8,810,030, 8,820,161, 8,863,575, 8,873,029,8,887,567, 9,003,886, 9,009,947, 9,046,546, 9,080,871, 9,116,165,9,234,913, 9,316,665, 9,322,839, 9,327,962, 9,346,670, 6,354,246,9,360,496, 9,377,482, 9,383,382, 9,389,077, 9,513,310, 9,580,300,9,612,254, 9,368,712, and 9,689,888. Components illustrated in suchpatents may be utilized with embodiments herein.

The above references in all sections of this application are hereinincorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including thereferences incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or processso disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinationswhere at least some of such features and/or steps are mutuallyexclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including referencesincorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract anddrawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus,unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one exampleonly of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. The above referencesin all sections of this application are herein incorporated byreferences in their entirety for all purposes.

One or more embodiments are described herein with reference to programinstructions and/or methods, systems, and computer program products foraiming a gunsight according to one or more of the embodiments describedherein. It will be understood that these embodiments, may be implementedby computer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the figures/specification.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified herein.

Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substitutedfor the specific examples shown. This application is intended to coveradaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, itis intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims andtheir legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects.The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merelydescriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting.Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur tothose skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications aredeemed to be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gunsight for aiming a firearm, the firearmhaving a barrel defining a bore, the bore extending along a bore axis,the bore axis extending in a forward direction and a rearward direction,the gunsight comprising: a display and an eyepiece optic positionedrearward of the display for allowing a user to view the display throughthe eyepiece optic, the eyepiece optic comprising one or more eyepiecelenses; a motion sensing module; and circuitry operatively coupled tothe display and the motion sensing module, wherein the circuitrycomprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computer readablemedium storing one or more instruction sets, wherein the one or moreinstruction sets include instructions configured to be executed by theone or more processors to cause the gunsight to: display a first imageto the user, the first image corresponding to a first magnification;receive a stream of motion signals from the motion sensing module;detect a ballistic event based on analysis of the stream of motionsignals; and display a second image to the user in response to detectingof the ballistic event, the second image corresponding to a secondmagnification; wherein the first magnification is greater than thesecond magnification.
 2. The gunsight of claim 1, wherein the motionsensing module comprises an accelerometer or a gyroscope.
 3. Thegunsight of claim 1, wherein the one or more instruction sets includeinstructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors tocause the gunsight to: determine an orientation of the bore axisrelative to a gravitational pull direction based on analysis of thestream of motion signals.
 4. The gunsight of claim 1, wherein the one ormore instruction sets include instructions configured to be executed bythe one or more processors to cause the gunsight to: determine anorientation angle of the bore axis relative to a gravitational pulldirection based on analysis of the stream of motion signals; and comparethe orientation angle to a predetermined threshold value.
 5. Thegunsight of claim 4, wherein the one or more instruction sets includeinstructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors tocause the gunsight to: change an operating state of the display from afirst brightness to a second brightness value if the orientation angleis greater than the predetermined threshold value, wherein the firstbrightness is greater than the second brightness.
 6. A gunsight foraiming a firearm, the firearm having a barrel defining a bore, the boreextending along a bore axis, the bore axis extending in a forwarddirection and a rearward direction, the gunsight comprising: a displayand an eyepiece optic positioned rearward of the display for allowing auser to view the display through the eyepiece optic; a motion sensingmodule; and circuitry operatively coupled to the display, wherein thecircuitry comprises one or more processors and a non-transitory computerreadable medium storing one or more instruction sets, wherein the one ormore instruction sets include instructions configured to be executed bythe one or more processors to cause the gunsight to: display a firstimage to the user; receive a stream of motion signals from the motionsensing module; detect a ballistic event based on analysis of the streamof motion signals; and display a second image to the user in response todetecting of the ballistic event, wherein the first image corresponds toa first field of view, the second image corresponds to a second field ofview, and the second field of view is larger than the first field ofview.
 7. The gunsight of claim 6, wherein the first image corresponds toa first magnification, the second image corresponds to a secondmagnification, and the first magnification is greater than the secondmagnification.
 8. The gunsight of claim 6, wherein the motion sensingmodule comprises an accelerometer or a gyroscope.
 9. The gunsight ofclaim 6, wherein the one or more instruction sets include instructionsconfigured to be executed by the one or more processors to cause thegunsight to: determine an orientation of the bore axis relative to agravitational pull direction based on analysis of the stream of motionsignals.
 10. The gunsight of claim 6, wherein the one or moreinstruction sets include instructions configured to be executed by theone or more processors to cause the gunsight to: determine anorientation angle of the bore axis relative to a gravitational pulldirection based on analysis of the stream of motion signals; and comparethe orientation angle to a predetermined threshold value.
 11. Thegunsight of claim 10, wherein the one or more instruction sets includeinstructions configured to be executed by the one or more processors tocause the gunsight to: change an operating state of the display from afirst brightness to a second brightness value if the orientation angleis greater than the predetermined threshold value, wherein the firstbrightness is greater than the second brightness.